Vacation Spots

ARIGNAR ANNA ZOOLOGICAL PARK

Arignar Anna Zoological Park (abbreviated AAZP), also known as the Vandalur Zoo, is a zoological garden located in Vandalur, a suburb in the southwestern part of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, about 31 kilometres (19 mi) from the city centre and 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Chennai Airport. It is India’s largest zoo in terms of area covering 1,300 acres. Its previous location was set up in 1855 and was the first public zoo in India. It is affiliated with the Central Zoo Authority of India.[8] Spread over an area of 602 hectares (1,490 acres), including a 92.45-hectare (228.4-acre) rescue and rehabilitation centre, the park is the largest zoological garden in India. The zoo houses 2,553 species of flora and fauna across 1,265 acres (512 ha).
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MARINA BEACH

Marina Beach is a natural urban beach in the city of Chennai, India, along the Bay of Bengal.[1] The beach runs from near Fort St. George in the north to Foreshore Estate in the south, a distance of 6.5 km (4.0 mi),[2] making it the longest natural urban beach in the country and one of the world’s longest beach ranking with 1.[3][4][5] The Marina is primarily sandy, unlike the short, rocky formations that make up the Juhu Beach in Mumbai. The average width of the beach is 300 m (980 ft)[6] and the width at the widest stretch is 437 m (1,434 ft). Bathing and swimming at the Marina Beach are legally prohibited because of the dangers, as the undercurrent is very turbulent. It is one of the most crowded beaches in the country and attracts about 30,000 visitors a day during weekdays[7] and 50,000 visitors a day during the weekends and on holidays.

KISHKINTA

Kishkinta ia a household name and the favorite fun destination for kids from six to sixty. Kishkinta, a theme water park with exciting dry rides is an ideal destination for family and group entertainment. The amusements, attractions, water games and rides, make Kishkinta India’s No. 1 Theme Park . KISHKINTA is the name of the legendary monkey kingdom in the Ramayana, where fun & frolic reigns. From end to end, KISHKINTA is designed as a pleasant and fun-filled environment, the perfect getaway for the harried city-dweller and tourist alike. Kishkinta attracts thousands of visitors every day since its inauguration in August 1995.

ARULMIGU KAPALEESWARAR TEMPLE

One of the sacred shrines in Tamil Nadu is Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore, in Chennai City. It is a Siva Temple, and the name of the Lord is ARULMIGU KAPALEESWARAR. The name of the Goddess is ARULMIGU KARPAGAMBAL. It is a loverly temple with a Stately Spire or â€˜Gopuramâ€™ as it is called. There is a big tank on its West. The temple and the tank are surrounded by Broad streets on the four sides. The view of the temple and the tank is picturesque. Mylapore is on the sea coast and the shore is away by half a mile of thickly populated residential area.

MGM DIZZEE WORLD

MGM is synonymous with high-energy entertainment owing to the creation of some of the biggest entertainment parks in the country. We believe that some values like qualitative, entertainment bear, no compromise and we guarantee a fun time with a commitment to give you the best in services and experience. These values and this commitment have undoubtedly boosted the ratings of our park – MGM Dizzee World, Chennai – as the No.1 Amusement Park and we are proud and say it loud – No one knows family entertainment like we do. MGM Dizzee World, Chennai, designed by Italian architects is spread out on a huge lush green area and rests against the scenic blue beach front of the East Coast Road, at Muttukadu, about 30 kms away from Chennai city.

NATIONAL PARK

The Guindy National Park, 2.70 sq.KM wide is unique in more ways than one. It has the rarest vegetation type â€“ the tropical dry evergreen vegetation. It is one of the smallest national parks and is situated right in the heart of a metropolitan city – Chennai. But perhaps the best of all is that it has a role in both ex-situ and in-situ conservation.

QUEENS LAND

The park is located by the Chennai-Bangalore Trunk Road between Sriperumpudhur and Poonamalle. There is parking for cars. Buses are available from Guindy and T. Nagar. All buses going to Sriperumpudhur from Chennai stop at Queensland.The entry fee is 550 INR for an adult and 450 INR for a child. Children shorter than 2 feet (0.61 m) tall are not charged.The park is open from 10 am to 6:30 pm on weekdays and 10:00 am to 7:30 pm on weekends and government holidays. It is closed on Mondays for maintenance, with the exception of holidays.Food and drink are available within the park.

SANTHOME CHURCH

Santhome Church in Chennai also known as Santhome Cathedral Basilica and International Shrine of Saint Thomas Cathedral Basilica, sits on the tomb built over the mortal remains of one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Saint Thomas had come to India in A.D.52, was martyred in A.D.72 and buried in this very site then known as Mylapore. â€œSan Thomeâ€ assumes its name from Saint Thomas.

THOUSAND LIGHTS MOSQUE

The Thousand Lights Mosque spread over an area of three acres is one of the largest mosques in India and is situated on Anna Salai Road. Built by Nawab Umdat-ul-Umra in 1810, the mosque bears a story behind its name. It is said that 1000 lights needed to be lit in order to illuminate the assembly hall and hence it was named Thousand Lights Mosque. It is also believed that the lights were lit by the Indian National Congress to mark their first visit to Madras. The mosque has been built in medieval architectural style and has multiple domes and spearing minarets which are approximately 64 metres tall.

VGP SNOW KINGDOM

VGP Snow Kingdom is one of Asiaâ€™s finest, Indiaâ€™s largest, and Tamil Naduâ€™s first and only full-fledged indoor snow theme park. This new travel destination in Chennai operates as an independent facility, adjacent to VGP Universal Kingdom (part of VGP Golden Beach Area), and can be accessed via the parking lot of VGP Universal Kingdom.

VGP UNIVERSAL KINGDOM

Way back in 1975, when â€˜Amusement Parksâ€™ and â€˜Theme Parksâ€™ were hitherto unheard of in India, the founders of VGP set about creating a unique entertainment idea that was very popular only in countries abroad. Our late founder, Mr. V G Panneerdas visualised a new concept of leisure in India and brought his vision to fruition, thereby pioneering a whole new experience. The park is spread out over a massive 45 acres of beautiful property, complete with a private beach. It homes to 45+ scream-out-loud rides, a huge Water Park complete with massive slides that drop into 5500 gallons of swirling water, and an array of exhibits including the Snow Kingdom, the Petting Zoo, and the Statue Man (side note, thereâ€™s a bounty to be won if you can get him to move).

MAHABALIPURAM

Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram is a historic city and UNESCO World Heritage site in Tamil Nadu, India. During the reign of the Pallava dynasty, between the 3rd century CE and 7th century CE, it became an important centre of art, architecture and literature. Mahabalipuram was already a thriving sea port on the Bay of Bengal before this time. A significant amount of coins and other artefacts excavated from this region also indicate a pre-existing trade relation with the Romans even before it became a part of the Pallava Empire.